It’s really no secret by now that Vienna is one of the most gorgeous-looking cities in all of Europe. Featuring grandiose and lively cafes, bars, and restaurants, many beautiful cobbled streets, and the glowing opera house, the Austrian capital clearly has a lot going for it.
There’s definitely no way you can get bored in Vienna, but I recently thought that for anyone who is staying a week in the city or has perhaps already visited there once, you might be wondering what lies outside its borders.
Many of Austria’s most stunning lakes, little towns straight out of a fairytale, mountain railways, epic castles, and picturesque vineyards are all just a stone’s throw away from Vienna.
Not long after you have booked your flight to Vienna, you’ll quickly discover that many fast and simple train connections can take you from the city hubbub to tranquil and green areas located within Austria.
These are some of the best day trips from Vienna.
Wachau Valley
City life can be intense at times, but there’s nothing stressful about the Wachau Valley. Roughly an hour from Vienna, this part of the Danube River is like a postcard come to life.
Cute villages with brightly-colored houses, as well as attractive vineyards where you can sample the homegrown wine on tours (just a few sips, mind you), make it a must-see visit for any day trip. Keep in mind that America has its own fair share of great wines too!
Krems or Dürnstein are two towns that allow you to embrace the slower, relaxed lifestyle of the Wachau Valley that is especially charming in early autumn or late spring, when the trees are turning and there’s enough sunlight to drink your coffee on a local café terrace.
Don’t forget big architectural highlights such as the Dürnstein Castle and Melk Abbey.
Hallstatt
Even if you’ve never heard of Hallstatt, you’ll more than likely have seen it somewhere. Whether on a calendar of beautiful locations or as a desktop background, the tiny lakeside town is nestled between giant mountains and has that peculiar feeling like you’ve traveled back in time.
The only issue with the village is that due to Instagram and the movie Frozen reportedly choosing Hallstatt as the inspiration for Arendelle, things can get very busy in summer and even winter (when things really look straight out of Frozen).
The town itself has a population of around 1,000 people, but mass tourism means that you may wish to visit during a quieter period. The lakeshore (renting a boat and traversing the lake is a must), narrow, winding lanes, and gorgeous old houses are all sublime and worthy of many selfies.
The journey from Vienna is around 3.5 hours, which means you may want to stay in Hallstatt overnight but given the scenery, this isn’t a bad idea.
Semmering Railway
It might seem an unusual idea to jump on another train when you’ve most likely just been sitting on a train, but the Semmering Railway isn’t just a simple locomotive. Stretching over 41km and built between 1848 and 1854, it arguably has the greatest mountain views in the world.
For anyone who isn’t the biggest fan of trekking up a steep trail, the railway gives you spectacular landscapes from start to finish.
Rest assured, you can get out of the train at designated stops for much gentler walking routes, as well as visiting the idyllic little town of Semmering itself for a quick snack and caffeine hit.
Laxenburg Castle Park
One of the closer pieces of incredible nature from Vienna, Laxenburg Castle Park is a genuine escape into Austria’s history. Forest paths wind past peaceful lakes in the unexpectedly large castle gardens. It’s the perfect retreat from the city and only a 30-minute bus ride from Vienna.
The star of the show is undoubtedly the storybook castle perched on an island, which is reachable by a ferry or by a bridge.
The Neo-Gothic features are hugely impressive even to those without a major interest in old architecture, plus, climbing the towers and enjoying the sweeping vistas makes you feel like a real king or queen for a day (crown not included).
Seegrotte Hinterbrühl
This one is a bit different from the others on the list and not for everyone (especially those a bit claustrophobic), but it’s only a short 30-minute train ride. Seegrotte Hinterbrühl is a wonderful subterranean lake with shining pools and deep caverns.
The boat ride glides seamlessly through the still waters and it’s hard not to get goosebumps when you hear the silence and witness the beauty of the cave underneath the lights.
It’s a very atmospheric tour and a great alternative for anyone a bit tired of seeing castles and mountains all the time (why would you though). There’s nothing quite like the museums and cafes of Vienna, but true nature is also great to experience in Austria. Of course, being underground isn’t for everybody and you might not like to waste the sunshine, but the 6,000 m² lake is breathtaking for those who want a piece of adventure.